What is "porifera"

Porifera \Po*rif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. porus pore + ferre to bear.] (Zo["o]l.) A grand division of the Invertebrata, including the sponges; -- called also Spongi[ae], Spongida, and Spongiozoa. The principal divisions are Calcispongi[ae], Keratosa or Fibrospongi[ae], and Silicea.

Spongiae \Spon"gi*[ae]\ (sp[o^]n"j[i^]*[=e]), n. pl. [See Sponge.] (Zo["o]l.) The grand division of the animal kingdom which includes the sponges; -- called also Spongida, Spongiaria, Spongiozoa, and Porifera.

Note: In the Spongi[ae], the soft sarcode of the body is usually supported by a skeleton consisting of horny fibers, or of siliceous or calcareous spicules. The common sponges contain larger and smaller cavities and canals, and numerous small ampull[ae] which are lined with ciliated cells capable of taking in solid food. The outer surface usually has minute pores through which water enters, and large openings for its exit. Sponges produce eggs and spermatozoa, and the egg when fertilized undergoes segmentation to form a ciliated embryo.

1843, Modern Latin, literally "bearing pores," neuter plural of porifer, from Latin porus "pore, opening" (see pore (n.)) + -fer "bearing" (see infer). Related: Poriferal; poriferous.

1. redirect Sponge